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GABORONE – Two major organizers of the inaugural Gaborone City Marathon, Botswana Tourism Board (BTB) and Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel Resort has put out a call to the corporate community to support the event.

Speaking to media Thola Magang chairman of the Gaborone City Marathon said many individuals and corporate can be part of the event.

The marathon jamboree expected to attract many international participants to the city of Gaborone is slated for mid April and the local organizing committee is confident the event will attract international athletes into the country. Glossy promotional activities are already lined up ahead of the marathon.

The marathon frenzy also expected to lure tourist and change the city’s international image lowly rated among tourist attracting cities.

“The event is going to be unique in the sense we are going to have many partners. Gaborone City Council, Environmental Authorities and Police have already embraced the event,” said Magang.

“We are excited for once to represent Gaborone in the correct light. We want to change people’s perspective on the city. Years to come it will be a key event in Gaborone’s diary,” he added.

Magang said the city may be small but allows for people from all walks of life to interact with each other.

He further said corporate organisations to sponsor the event will be categorized from diamond to copper ranging from 200 000 pula to 10 000 pula sponsorship respectively. The sponsors will have an opportunity to get different media representation on the runners expected to be over 2000 for both 10km race and 4km fun run with lots of children entertainment.

The entry fees will be donated to charity with Botswana Heart Foundation, Khama Charitable Trust, Seeing is Believing, Sponsor a Child and Y care Charitable Trust being the beneficiaries.

The Gaborone City Marathon is a qualifier for the Commonwealth Games and Comrades Marathon.